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07 September 2012

Getting the point across ... The End.

It's was hard to tell who sent this initially.

There is only one photograph of the sender, and comparing this photograph with others in my collection, I couldn't positively identify him. However, since the recipient of the message is Grace Stoddard (my grand aunt), and her most ardent admirer was Ossian Ray, who lived in New Hampshire - and therefore makes sense of the NH reference - he is my best bet.

Besides, they eventually married in 1905 and had one daughter, Betty Ray, two years later.

It's fun to think about earlier eras when folks didn't have all our instruments of high speed communication and they took the time to make elaborate letters like this one.

Thank you to all the sentimental relatives for saving it!

My translation:

(1) My dear Grace I hope it will not boar you to puzzle this
out if it does stop at once and forgive
(me).

(2) I envy (picture) being able to travel in fact I am more
jealous of him than that Dann boy though he is interested

(3) in flying. If you will come to the mountains I will let
you take your bird book on our outings.

(4) The Waumbek will be steamed this summer. I can't bear to
trot over. Why not take me with you? Don't let

(5) Sue become engaged to any Englishman with a beak and
don't you get infatuated with I.

(6) I wonder if you will meet many men on the ship it is a

(7) great place to see what is in them. I am frightened of
moon on a ship

(8) they say it leads to wedding do be careful about
sparking at (jousting) speed?

(9) Do write me many times this fan and console me. I shall
fill the mailbox with letters for you.

(10) I am so glad Rob can rest and is 'Two to one er'. I
must apologize for lack of wit and (gem)cy

studying is the reason?

(11) I hope you will think this is a happy thought and not that it's (?)

(12) Give Sue my love and keep some for yourself June 1, 1902 (photo with head removed)